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Broome makes inquiry apology By Peter Rosengren
The Broome Diocese in the Kimberley has apologised for any collusion that may have occurred between the Church and the Government in the separation of Aboriginal children from their parents. The apology came in a submission from Bishop Christopher Saunders of Broome to the National Inquiry into the Separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and their Families sitting in the Broome parish centre this week. The Church would also make available to those seeking information on their families any documentation in its possession, Bishop Saunders said, adding, however, that the documentation was likely to be limited. In addition, the Broome diocese would be offering to sit down with Aboriginal people and see how best its resources could be used to assist them in healing the past hurts caused by the history of separation of families, he said. Bishop Saunders said he also expected agreements on the return of Church land to Aboriginal communities to be finalised this year. Responding to a call by Kimberley Land Council chairman, Peter Yu, for the Church to return the property, the bishop said negotiations for return of land had stretched back over several years beginning with talks on the Beagle Bay mission site in 1975 initiated by the-then Bishop of Broome, John Jobst.
Pyrotechnic Joseph plays to packed houses in Sorrento
But he said it was important for the Church to protect some of its investments such as presbyteries and convents where priests, religious or lay mission- Heath Millar, playing Joseph in his technicolour dreamcoat, above, was on-stage for most of the lengthy production. aries were resident, and buildParents, teachers and students drama students at the college Heath Miller who played Joseph ings such as churches, for the at Sacred Heart College, Sorrento accompanied by the college and Peter Green who played work of the Church to continue. were treated last week to a spec- orchestra, played to audiences of Pharaoh. "We're happy to hand back tacular production of the Andrew 600 each night over five nights. More than 200 students were property; however, some invest- Lloyd Webber/Tim Rice producThe sets, pyrotechnic wizardry involved in the orchestra, in the ments need to be protected," tion: Joseph and His Amazing and lighting were complemented cast or behind the scenes in stagBishop Saunders said. Technic°lour Dreamcoat. by a number of superb individual ing the production that did the He said that, practically The production, staged by performances including that of students proud. speaking, the Church in the Kimberley had relinquished any administrative rights over the property it owned at the five Aboriginal mission sites of The Australian Catholic Social appeared as if the Government tribunals was not to overturn LaGrange, Beagle Bay, LombadJustice Council has expressed was going back on ground that agreements but to provide arbiina-Djarindjin. Balgo and "grave" concern that changes pro- had been achieved for Aboriginal tration when Aboriginals and Kalumburu long ago. posed by the Federal Govern- people. "It leaves the Aboriginal companies could not reach He said people already had ment to the current Native Title people pretty much open to agreement, Senator Minchin erected their own buildings Act would destroy the right of abuse," he said. said. such as homes, basketball Aborigines to negotiate with minJesuit Father Frank Brennan However the Bishop's criticisms courts, shops and amenities on ing companies. were rejected as a gross exagger- from the Uniya social justice centhe land over many years withACSiC chairman Bishop Kevin ation by Senator Nick Minchin, tre in Sydney backed the ACSJC's out intervention on the part of Manning said the Native Title Act parliamentary secretary to the position. He was in the Kimberhad given indigenous people a Prime Minister with responsibili- ley to negotiate the return of land the Church. "It has been our intention for right to negotiate with miners at ty for national consultations on to the Wirrumanu Aboriginal community at Balgo Hills, a the last twenty years to hand exploration and development native title. mission site. Church phases but the Government's He said the ACSJC statement back the land to the five comFr Brennan said the right to munities," Bishop Saunders proposals would effectively take showed it had a lack of knowlthat right away. edge and understanding of how negotiate over Native Title had said. "The existing right to negotiate the right to negotiate operated been the result of extensive negoBut he added that on occa- which Native Title claimants can under Mabo. tiation between the Government sions when negotiations had exercise under the Act is already "We are limiting the right to and Aboriginals in 1993. Any come close to agreement they doubly qualified," Bishop Man- negotiate but it's utterly inaccu- interference with that right could had been complicated by Fed- ning said last week rate to say we are taking it away," only be contemplated if those eral Government intervention. Aboriginals involved agreed. "The outcome of any initial he told The Record. He said that in 1985 the AusThe Government did not want negotiations between miners and He said that under current Govto see land handed back to indi- Aborigines may be overturned by ernment proposals the right to tralian Catholic Bishops had writvidual families but to the com- a state tribunal and that decision negotiate would not apply during ten to the-then Prime Minister munities as incorporated in turn may be overridden by a exploration but would still exist Bob Hawke regarding land rights for Aboriginals and the possibiliState Minister. at the mining phase. bodies, he said. ty of Aboriginals in the Northern "But it seems these existing "It would be one process rather conThe Inquiry into the SeparaTerritory losing right of veto. tion of Aboriginal and Torres straints are not enough. Through than a separate one for each "If any re-jigging [of the right to its proposed changes, the Federal stage," he said. Strait Islander Children is being Government wants to so conHe added that the ACSJC's crit- negotiate] is to occur it should conducted by the Human strain this right to negotiate as to icism that agreements could be only be done with the agreement Rights and Equal Opportunities render it ineffective." overturned by a tribunal were of Aboriginals," Fr Brennan said. Commission. Bishop Manning said it now wrong. The role of Native Title - Peter Rosengren
John Paul Ill's Assumption meditation - Page II
Justice body fears for Mabo
Bishop Quinn speaks on parents' duty - Page 3
Notre Dame challenges an Anglican - Page 8